Press Release: Environment: Liability Directive ensures polluters pay

Important EU legislation laying down liability rules for damage to the environment comes into force on 30 April 2007. The groundbreaking new directive, the result of discussions which started in the late 1980s, is the first EU law specifically based on the "polluter pays principle" set out in the EC treaty. It will ensure that in future environmental damage in the EU is prevented or remedied, and that those who cause it are held responsible. Environmental damage includes damage to water resources, natural habitats, animals and plants as well as contamination of land which causes significant harm to human health. Member States are required to transpose the directive into their national law by 30 April 2007, but to date only Italy, Latvia and Lithuania have done so.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/07/157 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/157&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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